Deal in Possibilities

It was six weeks between being diagnosed with ALS and seeing the Neurologist again. As he sat down, he asked, “How have you been, I’m sure your world has been in turmoil”.

But it hadn’t felt like that at all. Yes, the diagnosis was a huge shock, painful and distressing as you’d expect, but strangely I had developed real clarity of mind and internally I felt stronger than ever before. There were a number of reasons for this and overall it was because my wife and I were choosing to deal in possibilities. From our research, we had found cases out there of people beating the odds and surviving the impossible and so why not add our story to that collection.

Importantly, dealing in possibilities is to not resign to a prescribed fate, but instead subscribe to a belief that there are always exceptions to the rule, and then take action to do everything you can do, regardless of the odds. You have your prognosis, but that doesn’t leave you without choices – dealing in possibilities is about seeing your choices and taking action.

There may be people who see this as a form of active denial, but if in someway dealing in possibilities gives you fuel, then what do you have to lose?

About these strategies

Welcome. These strategies are for people who’ve been diagnosed with a terminal or life threatening illness. If that’s you, I’m sharing them because I know something about what you’re going through, they helped me and so maybe they can help you too.